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The Latest News from Our Field

We curate a digest of the latest news in our field for advocates, policymakers, community coalitions and all who work toward shaping policies and practices to effectively prevent substance use and treat addiction. Sign up here to receive weekly updates straight to your inbox.

Trump administration targets harm reduction efforts

An executive order and SAMHSA letter target harm reduction policies and funding, while harm reduction education materials are removed from government websites.

Federal grants update

OD2A funding is set to be released, but other CDC programs are still frozen, and a new executive order would give political appointees unprecedented power in awarding research grants.

Trump signs directive to use military force against cartels

President Trump signed a directive to the Pentagon to begin using military force against certain cartels in Latin America, a move that signals a departure from past approaches to drug interdiction.

New book explores barriers to OUD treatment

While the introduction of buprenorphine was supposed to make OUD treatment more accessible, barriers created by the industry and federal government limited its potential.

Research News Roundup: August 14, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how people with worse sleep (like clinical insomnia) tend to have more problems with their physical and mental health. They are also more likely to have issues with addiction, family problems, and feel less supported in their communities.

FDA targets kratom compound for regulation

FDA is recommending that 7-OH, a psychoactive compound derived from kratom, be made a Schedule I controlled substance.

Senate advances HHS funding bill that rejects Trump’s proposed cuts

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted to advance a funding bill that rejects the White House’s proposals to significantly cut funding for HHS, reorganize the department, and eliminate agencies.

FDA mandates new opioid safety labels

FDA is requiring changes to opioid safety labeling to emphasize the risks associated with long-term use.

CDC director confirmed

Long-time health official Susan Monarez takes the helm at CDC.

Research News Roundup: August 7, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how Computer-Based Training for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT4CBT) is beginning to show promise as a treatment tool for substance use disorder. This computer-based training is increasingly being used to help people reduce symptoms, boost their coping skills, and improve their quality of life.

2024 national drug use survey insights

SAMHSA released the findings of the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a key national survey that measures the prevalence of substance use, substance use disorder, treatment, recovery, etc.

Trump homelessness executive order targets harm reduction

A new executive order targeting "crime and disorder on America's streets" promotes a punitive response to homelessness, mental health, and addiction focused on involuntary commitment and ending harm reduction programs.

CBO report: 10 million uninsured due to reconciliation legislation

CBO estimates that the reconciliation legislation signed into law will cause 10 million people to lose insurance coverage.

Terry Cole takes helm at DEA

Terry Cole, a DEA veteran, was confirmed and sworn in as administrator of the agency.

Research News Roundup: July 31, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including the fact that in 2022, over 70,000 people lost their lives to unintentional fentanyl overdoses - a 31-fold increase since 2012, when, 2139 deaths occurred. This tragic cost of human lives also represents a massive $57-$67 billion hit to our nation from premature deaths.

Trump administration delays crucial overdose funding

The White House has delayed $140 million in CDC Overdose Data to Action grant funding, creating uncertainty for local efforts to address the overdose crisis.

FDA authorizes Juul e-cigarettes

After a yearslong standoff, FDA authorized Juul menthol- and tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes to be marketed.

988 crisis line marks third anniversary

Awareness and use of 988 has increased since its launch three years ago, but crisis response services are facing new risks.

Medicaid cuts may double overdoses among those losing MOUD access

Researchers estimated that the loss of MOUD access resulting from the reconciliation law's Medicaid cuts would lead to approximately 1,000 additional overdose deaths each year.

Research News Roundup: July 24, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how sexual dating violence is linked to suicide attempts among high schoolers, and the major role that alcohol plays in this. To enhance prevention efforts, it is recommended to prioritize alcohol-specific interventions, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups such as young men and minorities.

Opioid settlement funds misused nationwide

Amid ongoing concerns about the misuse of opioid settlement funds, two research and advocacy organizations launched a database to identify examples of misuse and prompt investigation.

Congress targets intoxicating hemp product loophole

Bills being considered by Congress include provisions to close the loophole that has allowed psychoactive hemp-derived substances to spread unregulated.

Research News Roundup: July 17, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how a study of 13,677 high school students found a link between sexual identity and tobacco use which varies by race/ethnicity. For example, LGBQ Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino youth had the strongest association with electronic vapor use compared to other groups.

Reconciliation bill with Medicaid and ACA changes signed into law

On July 4, President Trump signed into law the reconciliation bill, which includes changes to health care that are estimated to cause around 12 million people to lose insurance coverage.

Cities and states challenge cuts to mental health and ACA

State attorneys general sued over the cancellation of $1 billion in mental health grants, while three mayors sued over new rules that make changes to ACA enrollment and eligibility.
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